But General Manager Jonathan
Nelson said he is most proud of the distinction that didn't come with a trophy
or plaque.

The Barons were one of two
Southern League teams to go through the 2013 season without a single rainout.

"Of all the awards we
received last year, and all the recognition and the championship, that's honestly
one of the most proud things that we are about last season," Nelson said, "that
we were committed and got every game in, from beginning to end."

The general manager said 2006 was likely the last time the Barons dealt with raindrops that well.

While the Barons lost no
games to rain in 2013, the weather did have an effect. Two games were suspected
by rain; each was resumed the next day as part of a doubleheader.

"This Southeast region was
hammered quite a bit last spring and last summer as well," Nelson said. "There
were two teams in our league that did not have a single rainout the entire
season - Birmingham and Mississippi as well."

Fans for whom baseball in Birmingham was a new experience rang
the press box phone off the hook, asking if the game was still on. After the game began, some
called asking about rain checks for future games, only to learn that the
scheduled game was underway.

"It's about educating folks,"
Nelson said. "Last year we made quite a statement by not having a rainout despite
a record amount of rain in this area. We look forward to continuing to do that.
We're committed to playing every game out here."